Prefabricated components for dental appliances

ABSTRACT

Ready-to-use preshaped, prefabricated cured structural components are prepared in a variety of shapes and sizes to be used in the fabrication of dental appliances. Preferably the structural components are fabricated of a fiber-reinforced composite material comprising fibers impregnated with a polymeric matrix. The polymeric matrix is partially or fully cured to the point of sufficient hardness to provide a ready-to-use structural component for use in the fabrication of dental appliances such as orthodontic retainers, bridges, space maintainers, tooth replacement appliances, splints, crowns, partial crowns, dentures, posts, teeth, jackets, inlays, onlays, facings, veneers, facets, implants, abutments, cylinders, and connectors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No.09/059,492 filed Apr. 13, 1998 entitled PREFABRICATED COMPONENTS FORDENTAL APPLIANCES, now abandoned.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to dental appliances andrestorations and more particularly to prefabricated components for usein dental appliances and restorations and methods of manufacturethereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dental appliances and restorations such as bridges, crowns, dentures andthe like may be used to restore a missing tooth and retain natural teethin position and prevent migration subsequent to orthodontic treatment.Structural components used in these appliances often include wires,bars, posts, shells, beams, clasps and other shapes. The shape of thestructural components may vary depending upon the requirements of theappliance.

The manufacture of frameworks for bridges using current techniques canbe time consuming and labor intensive. Some techniques may involvetaking uncured fiber-reinforced composite material and forming uncuredstrips of the fiber-reinforced composite material into a bridgeframework upon a dental cast. The procedure can be an involved andcomplex process depending upon the final shape desired. Moreover, dentaltechnicians and practitioners may use less than the optimum amount offiber for reinforcement when preparing the dental framework in order toreduce the cost which may lead to low strength and therefore potentialfracture of the final product. Furthermore, the complexity of the dentalappliance may require a certain dexterity to achieve optimal propertiesthat may not be achievable by some technicians and practitioners. Theuse of metals, alloys and ceramics which exhibit high flexural strengthssuch as 300 MPa and higher reduces light transmission and thus affectsthe aesthetic appearance.

There remains a need to simplify the process of fabricating dentalappliances to reduce time and labor involved in the preparation processand to provide appliances having optimum properties. It is desirable toreduce the risk of contamination during the fabrication of dentalappliances. It is desirable to maintain strength of dental applianceswithout sacrificing aesthetic and light transmitting properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects and advantages are accomplished by the presentinvention wherein preshaped, prefabricated cured components are preparedin a variety of shapes and sizes to be used in the fabrication of dentalappliances. Preferably the components are fabricated of afiber-reinforced composite material comprising fibers impregnated with apolymeric matrix. After impregnation of a fibrous material with apolymeric matrix, the resultant fiber-reinforced composite material isshaped and is partially or fully cured to the point of sufficienthardness to provide a component for use in the fabrication of dentalappliances including but not limited to orthodontic retainers, bridges,space maintainers, tooth replacement appliances, dentures, crowns,posts, jackets, inlays, onlays, facings, veneers, facets, implants,abutments and splints.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the components are in theshape of a structure for immediate use in the fabrication of a dentalappliance. The structural components are formed into any known shapesuseful in the fabrication of a dental appliance or restoration.Preferably, the structural components are in the shape of bars orpontics. The pontics have interproximal extensions and may be singleunit or multiple unit useful in the fabrication of frameworks forbridges. The structural components may be “ready-to-use” for immediateuse in the fabrication of a dental appliance or restoration or may befurther modified, for example by cutting, carving or grinding prior tousing in the fabrication of a dental appliance or restoration.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the components areformed into pieces or blocks of fiber-reinforced composite material. Theblocks of material are useful in making a variety of shapes and sizesand may be modified by a variety of methods including but not limited tomachining, carving, cutting, grinding, etching and abrading.

The bars, pontics and blocks may be of any cross-sectional configurationeffective to provide strength and stiffness to the finished dentalappliance.

In the method of the present invention, the components are made afterthe impregnation of the fibers with a polymeric matrix. Afterimpregnation of the fibers, the resultant composite material is formedinto, for example, a long bar and cured or polymerized to a hardnesswhereby the bar may be cut and/or machined without deforming thestructural integrity of the bar. The bar is preferably cut into shortsegments and is ready for use in the fabrication of dental appliances.The bars may be used as is or may be further modified by cutting,grinding, machining, and the like to provide a specifically shaped orcustomized component. The component may further be veneered withparticulate-filled composite to develop clinically acceptable anatomy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of the present invention are disclosed in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elementsthroughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of bars of different shapes that may beformed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a multi-unit pontic formed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a multi-unit pontic formed in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a series of molds used to fabricate singleunit pontics in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a single unit pontic formed usinga mold in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a mold used to fabricate long barsin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cylindrical block formed in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tooth machined out of the block shownin FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rectangular block formed in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bridge machined out of the blockshown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a square block formed in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cylinder machined out of the blockshown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a partial implant system formed fromstructural components of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a curved rectangular block formed inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an implant superstructure machined outof the block shown in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The prefabricated components in accordance with the present inventionare preferably formed from a fiber-reinforced composite materialcomprising a polymeric matrix and reinforcing fibers within the matrix.The fibers are embedded in the matrix manually or mechanically by avariety of techniques including, but not limited to matched dieprocesses, autoclave molding, resin injection molding (RIM), sheet,dough and bulk molding, press molding, injection molding, reactioninjection molding, resin transfer molding (RTM), compression molding,open molding, extrusion, pultrusion and filament winding. U.S. Pat. Nos.4,717,341 and 4,894,012 to Goldberg et al. show methods of impregnationand are hereby incorporated by reference. Due to the impregnation methodused, the fiber distribution is approximately uniform, but mostimportantly all fibers are thoroughly wetted by the resin which formsthe polymeric matrix and there are no apparent voids at the fiber-resininterface. Preferably the fiber-reinforced polymeric matrix is formedusing the pultrusion or filament winding technique. The polymeric matrixelement of the composite is selected from those known in the art ofdental materials, including but not being limited to polyamides,polyesters, polyolefins, polyimides, polyarylates, polyurethanes, vinylesters or epoxy-based materials. Other polymeric matrices includestyrenes, stryrene acrylonitriles, ABS polymers, polysulfones,polyacetals, polycarbonates, polyphenylene sulfides, and the like.

Preferred polymeric materials include those based on acrylic andmethacrylic monomers, for example those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,066,112, 3,179,623, and 3,194,784 to Bowen; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,751,399and 3,926,906 to Lee et al.; commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,276,068and 5,444,104 to Waknine; and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,103to Jia et al., the pertinent portions of all which are hereinincorporated by reference. An especially preferred methacrylate monomeris the condensation product of bisphenol A and glycidyl methacrylate,2,2′-bis[4-(3-methacryloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl]-propane(hereinafter abbreviated “BIS-GMA”). Polyurethane dimethacrylates(hereinafter abbreviated “PUDMA”), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate(hereinafter abbreviated “TEGDMA”), polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate(hereinafter abbreviated “PEGDMA”), polycarbonate dimethacrylate(hereinafter abbreviated “PCDMA”) and ethoxylated bisphenol Adimethacrylate (hereinafter abbreviated “EBPADMA”) are alsocommonly-used principal polymers suitable for use in the presentinvention.

The polymer matrix typically includes polymerization initiators,polymerization accelerators, ultraviolet light absorbers, anti-oxidants,and other additives well known in the art. The polymer matrices may bevisible light curable, self-curing, dual curing, and vacuum, heat, andpressure curable compositions as well as any combination thereof. Thevisible light curable compositions include the usual polymerizationinitiators, polymerization accelerators, ultraviolet absorbers,fluorescent whitening agents, and the like. Preferred light curinginitiators include camphorquinone (CQ) and trimethyl benzoyl phosphineoxide (TPO). The heat curable compositions, which are generally filledcompositions, include, in addition to the monomeric components, a heatcure initiator such as benzoyl peroxide,1,1′-azobis(cyclohexanecarbo-nitrile), or other free radical initiators.The preferred polymeric matrix is a curable matrix, wherein light cureeffects partial cure of the matrix, and final curing is by heat undercontrolled atmosphere.

The polymeric matrix may further comprise at least one filler known inthe art and used in dental restorative materials, the amount of suchfiller being determined by the specific use of the fiber-reinforcedcomposite. Generally, no or relatively little additional filler ispresent in the polymeric matrix, i.e., up to thirty percent by weight ofthe composite. Suitable fillers are those capable of being covalentlybonded to the polymeric matrix itself or to a coupling agent that iscovalently bonded to both. Examples of suitable filling materialsinclude but are not limited to those known in the art such as silica,silicate glass, quartz, barium silicate, strontium silicate, bariumborosilicate, strontium borosilicate, borosilicate, lithium silicate,amorphous silica, ammoniated or deammoniated calcium phosphate andalumina, zirconia, tin oxide, and titania. Particularly suitable fillersfor dental filling-type materials prepared in accordance with thisinvention are those having a particle size ranging from about 0.1-5.0microns with a silicate colloid of 0.001 to about 0.07 microns and maybe prepared by a series of milling steps comprising wet milling in anaqueous medium, surface etch milling and dry or wet silanation. Some ofthe aforementioned inorganic filling materials are disclosed incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,544,359 and 4,547,531 to Waknine, thepertinent portions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The reinforcing fiber element of the composite preferably comprisesglass, carbon, graphite, polyaramid, or other fibers known in the art,such as polyesters, polyamides, and other natural and syntheticmaterials compatible with the polymeric matrix. Some of theaforementioned fibrous materials are disclosed in commonly assignedcopending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 08/907,177, 09/059,492,60/055,590, 08/951,414 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,717,341 and 4,894,012 allwhich are incorporated herein by reference. The fibers may further betreated, for example, chemically or mechanically etched and/orsilanized, to enhance the bond between the fibers and the polymericmatrix. The fibers preferably take the form of long, continuousfilaments, although the filaments may be as short as 0.1 to 4millimeters. Shorter fibers of uniform or random length might also beemployed. Preferably, the fibers are at least partially aligned andoriented along the longitudinal dimensions of the wire. However,depending on the end use of the composite material, the fibers may alsobe otherwise oriented, including being normal or perpendicular to thatdimension. The fibrous element may optionally take the form of a fabric.Fabric may be of the woven or non-woven type and is preferablypreimpregnated with a polymeric material as set forth above. Examples ofsuitable woven fabric materials include but are not limited to thoseknown in the art such as E glass and S glass fabrics and reinforcementfabrics sold by NFGS Inc. of New Hampshire under the style numbers 6522and 7581. One preferred non-woven fabric material is available under thename Glass Tissue (20103A) from Technical Fibre Products Ltd. of SlateHill, N.Y. The fibrous component may be present in the fiber reinforcedcomposite material in the range from about 20% to about 85%, and morepreferably between about 30% to about 65% by weight.

Fabric may also be combined with the fiber-reinforced composite materialto produce a high strength appliance. Fabric may be of the woven ornon-woven type as discussed above and is preferably preimpregnated witha polymeric material. Suitable polymeric materials are those listedabove as polymeric matrix materials.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, thefiber-reinforced polymeric composite material is preformed intostructural components to provide ready-to-use units for use in thefabrication of dental appliances. The structural components are formedinto any known shape(s) useful in the fabrication of a dental applianceor restoration. Preferably, the structural components are in the shapeof bars or pontics. The pontics have interproximal extensions and may besingle unit or multiple unit useful in the fabrication of frameworks forbridges. The bars and pontics may be straight or curved depending on theend use. The structural components may be “ready-to-use” for immediateuse in the fabrication of a dental appliance or restoration or may befurther modified, for example by cutting, carving or grinding prior tousing in the fabrication of a dental appliance or restoration.

FIG. 1 shows various shapes of bars formed in accordance with thepresent invention. FIGS. 1A through 1D depict bars of square 10,circular 12, rectangular 14 and triangular 16 cross-section,respectively. Structural components in the form of bars are typicallyused in the manufacture of dental bridges or posts. If posts aredesired, the cross-sectional dimension of the post must be narrow enoughto fit within the root canal.

More complicated shapes of preformed structural components may be formedfrom the structural bars either manually or mechanically by carving,cutting, grinding, machining or using other similar means. Thecomplicated shapes may include pontics of varying lengths and shapes asnoted above and as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, but are not limited to thespecific shapes shown. Alternatively, the complicated shapes may beformed by pressing composite material into molds and fully or partiallycuring into a hardness sufficient to withstand cutting, carving ormachining. In a preferred embodiment, preformed structural bars areplaced within a series of molds and composite material is filled intothe cavities surrounding the bars to form a single unit pontic 50 asshown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 2 shows a multiple unit pontic 20 that may be used in thepreparation of an anterior bridge. FIG. 3 displays a multiple unitpontic 30 that could be used in the preparation of a bridge.

FIG. 4 depicts a series of molds 40 having cavities 42 therein connectedto laterally extending thin sections 44. FIG. 6 shows a single mold 60have a longitudinally extending cavity 62 used to fabricate a long barthat may be cut into smaller sections after it has cured. In accordancewith one process of the present invention, one or more layers of filledcomposite material may be poured into cavities 42. Preferred compositematerials are available from JENERIC/PENTRON Inc., Wallingford, Conn.,under the trademarks FLOW-IT and LUTE-IT. One or more layers ofpre-impregnated woven or nonwoven fabric may be placed on the compositelayer(s). Alternately, the fabric may be first placed in the cavities 42and composite material may be deposited thereover. After the compositeand/or fabric is provided in cavities 42, preformed structural bars 10may be placed within mold 40 as shown. More composite material may beused to fill any voids in cavities 42. The material is cured to form astructural component in the shape of a single unit pontic 50 having acentral pontic section 52 and laterally extending arms 54. Preferably,the molded component is cured to a sufficient hardness whereby it may bemachined or carved to a desired final shape by the technician or dentistduring fabrication of the dental appliance. The molded component may bepartially cured at the time of fabrication and the curing can becompleted at the time of fabrication of the dental appliance or themolded component may be fully cured at the time of manufacture thereof.Mold 60 may be used in a similar fashion to molds 40 to prepare a longbar that may cut into smaller sections after it has cured.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the components areformed into pieces or blocks of fiber-reinforced composite material. Theblocks of material may be of a variety of shapes and sizes and may bemodified by a variety of methods including but not limited to machining,carving, cutting, grinding, abrading or etching.

FIGS. 7, 9 and 11 depict blocks formed in accordance with the presentinvention. FIG. 7 shows a cylindrical block, FIG. 9 shows a rectangularblock and FIG. 11 shows a square block. FIG. 8 depicts a tooth which hasbeen machined from the block shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 10 shows a bridgemachined from the block in FIG. 9. FIG. 12 shows a cylinder for use isan implant machined from the block in FIG. 11.

The cylinder shown in FIG. 12 can be used in combination withprefabricated bars of the present invention or may be used with uncuredfiber-reinforced composite material such as Fiberkor® available fromJeneric/Pentron Inc., Wallingford, Conn. An implant may be manufacturedwith one or all of its components fabricated from the structuralcomponents of the present invention including but not limited to theabutments, cylinders and framework. The resulting implant componentsprovide good shock absorbancy. Preferably the implant components aremachined out of blocks fabricated in accordance with the presentinvention. The machined blocks may include retentive designs on theeternal service for proper linkage to create multi-unit bridges or toreinforce bonding to the overlay composite materials. The implantsuperstructure may additionally include pontic components for propersupport of the overlay material. FIG. 13 shows a partial implant systemwherein cylinders 130 and bars 132 are disposed therebetween to form thesuperstructure. Cylinders 130 are preferably machined from blocks madein accordance with the present invention. Bars 132 are likewisemanufactured in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a curved rectangular block formed in accordance with thepresent invention. FIG. 15 shows an implant superstructure 150 which hasbeen machined from the block shown in FIG. 14. Superstructure 150comprises cylinders 152 interconnected with pontic sections 154.

In accordance with the method of the present invention, the componentsmay be manufactured on line as part of the fiber impregnation process ormay be molded into shapes after the impregnation process. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, components in the form of, for example,bars or blocks may be manufactured following the process of fiberimpregnation with a matrix material. The bars or blocks are preferablyformed under pressure and undergo either full or partial polymerizationto impart specific properties for specific applications. Long,continuous bars or blocks may be molded and cured to a hardnesssufficient to withstand cutting, carving or machining and subsequentlycut into the desired lengths at the time of manufacture or at some pointthereafter. The cross-section of the structural components may besquare, rectangular, triangular, rhomboidal, ovoidal, tapered,cylindrical, or of any other cross-sectional configuration effective toprovide strength and stiffness to the finished dental appliance. Thedimensions may be of varying lengths, widths and heights and the shadesthereof may be of any shade suitable for dental materials. Coloringagents known in the art may be added to the polymeric matrix materialprior to curing.

The components may be used as frameworks or understructures for crowns,bridges, implant abutment cylinders, implant superstructures and thelike. The framework/understructure can be made from the structuralcomponents in a variety of ways. The method of fabrication may be manualor automated. In the manual method, a technician can select a componentof, for example, rectangular shape. The technician cuts the block toproper dimension and size and carves out the desired anatomical featuresusing standard laboratory tools.

To perform the procedure by automated or mechanical means, an apparatussuch as a CAD/CAMming machine is used to automatically shape thestructural component into the form or contour desired. The component ispreferably in the form of a block (also known as a blank) forCAD/CAMming purposes. The technicians and/or practitioners collect threedimensional data regarding the final desired shape of the dentalappliance or restoration and machine or mill the block or blank toachieve the final desired shape. The data may be collected from actualteeth, implants, etc. or from models or prefabricated frameworks (ofwax, duralay, etc.) prepared on teeth or stone models or from animpression taken of the tooth or teeth to be corrected by using ascanning device such as the Pro-Scan™ device available from IntraTech inIrving, Tex. The data may be used as is or may be modified usingcomputer software. Based on the data, the blank is machined via CAM to athree-dimensional dental appliance or material. The CAD/CAM process maybe performed at one location or the CAD data may be transferred viamodem or electronic transmission to another location where computerassisted machining or milling is performed. The machined part may befurther modified or treated with for example, a surface treatment suchas abrasion, etching, or silanation, or with a special bonding agent.Additionally, the machined part can be joined with other preimpregnatedfiber-reinforced materials prior to being overlaid with a coating orveneer. The veneer may be a particulate-filled composite material suchas commerically available Sculpture® material available fromJeneric/Pentron Inc., Wallingford, Conn. and is preferably applied tothe machined or manually carved part to provide the final anatomy. Thefinished appliance or restoration can either be bonded or mechanicallyanchored. Bonding is the preferred fastening means.

The prefabricated, preshaped cured components of the present inventioncan substantially eliminate operator induced errors, greatly save timeand enhance overall properties and longevity of final restorations. Forimplant restorations, replacement of the rigid (high modulus) metalcomponents with a lower modulus material of the fiber-reinforcedcomposite structural components, improves shock absorption.

As will be appreciated, the present invention provides preshaped,prefabricated cured components having optimum strength. The componentsmay be ready-to-use structural components, structural components whichmay or may not be further modified prior to use, or components whichmust be further modified prior to use. The components are provided ofvarying shapes and sizes offering many options to the technician orpractitioner in the fabrication of dental appliances. Due to the manydifferent shapes, sizes and contours of teeth, a kit may be providedincluding ready-to-use structural components in the shape of pontics andbars of varying configurations and sizes to offer the technician andpractitioner options with which to construct dental appliances.Accordingly, custom made dental appliances can be easily fabricatedusing the ready-to-use structural components. The ready-to-usecomponents may be further modified prior to fabrication of a dentalappliance or restoration. Kits may also be provided with componentblocks of varying shapes, sizes and colors offering many options to thetechnician and practitioner.

While various descriptions of the present invention are described above,it should be understood that the various features can be used singly orin any combination thereof. Therefore, this invention is not to belimited to only the specifically preferred embodiments depicted herein.

Further, it should be understood that variations and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the invention may occur to those skilledin the art to which the invention pertains. Accordingly, all expedientmodifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from thedisclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention are to be included as further embodiments of thepresent invention. The scope of the present invention is accordinglydefined as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ready-to-use pontic for use in the fabricationof a dental appliance system wherein the pontic comprises one or morepontic sections and one or more sets of interpoximal extensionsextending through and out of the pontic sections and comprising: aprefabricated preshaped cured fiber-reinforced composite materialcomprising a polymeric matrix which is formed from a resin, a fillercomponent, and a reinforcing fiber component; wherein thefiber-reinforced composite material comprises fibers distributeduniformly in the resin and wherein all the fibers are thoroughly wettedby the resin; and wherein the fiber reinforced composite material isshaped and cured to a hardness for use in the dental appliance system.2. The pontic of claim 1 wherein the fiber-reinforced composite isstructurally shaped for immediate use in dental appliance systems. 3.The pontic of claim 1 wherein the component is modified by machining,cutting or carving.
 4. The pontic of claim 1 wherein the shape of thecross-section of the interproximal extensions is selected from the groupconsisting of a square, rectangle, triangle, rhomboid, ovoid, andcylinder.
 5. The component of claim 1 wherein the pontic is eithercurved or straight.
 6. The pontic of claim 1 wherein thefiber-reinforced composite material has undergone full polymerization.7. The pontic of claim 1 wherein the dental appliance system is selectedfrom the group consisting of orthodontic retainers, bridges, spacemaintainers, tooth replacement appliances, splints, crowns, partialcrowns, dentures, posts, teeth, jackets, inlays, onlays, facings,veneers, facets, implants, cylinders, abutments and connectors.
 8. Thepontic of claim 1 further including a coating thereon.
 9. The pontic ofclaim 1 wherein the fiber-reinforced composite material further includesone or more layers of composite material.
 10. The pontic of claim 1further including a constituent selected from the group of woven fabric,nonwoven fabric and mixtures thereof.
 11. The pontic of claim 10 whereinthe fabric is preimpregnated with a polymeric material.
 12. A dentalrestoration which comprises the component of claim
 1. 13. The dentalrestoration of claim 12 selected from the group consisting oforthodontic retainers, bridges, space maintainers, tooth replacementappliances, splints, crowns, partial crowns, dentures, posts, teeth,jackets, inlays, onlays, facings, veneers, facets, implants, abutments,cylinders, and connectors.
 14. An implant system comprising one or moresections manufactured from the components of claim
 1. 15. A kit for thefabrication of a dental appliance comprising: one or more ready-to-usecomponents wherein the one or more ready-to-use components comprises aprefabricated preshaped cured fiber-reinforced composite materialcomprising a polymeric matrix, a filler component, and a reinforcingfiber component; wherein the one or more ready-to-use componentscomprise pontics; wherein the pontics comprise one or more ponticsections and one or more sets of interpoximal extensions extendingthrough and out of the pontic sections and comprising a prefabricatedpreshaped cured fiber-reinforced composite material comprising apolymeric matrix which is formed by a resin, a filler component, and areinforcing fiber component; wherein the fiber-reinforced compositematerial comprises fibers distributed uniformly in the resin and whereinall the fibers are thoroughly wetted by the resin; and wherein the fiberreinforced composite material is shaped and cured to a hardness for usein the dental appliance system.
 16. The kit of claim 15 wherein thecomponents further comprise bars.
 17. The kit of claim 16 wherein thebars and pontics are of a variety of different shades.
 18. The kit ofclaim 15 wherein the components further comprise blocks.
 19. The kit ofclaim 18 wherein the blocks are of a variety of different dimensions anddifferent cross-sectional configurations.
 20. The kit of claim 18wherein the blocks are of a variety of different shades.
 21. The kit ofclaim 15 wherein the pontics are single unit and multiple unit pontics.22. The kit of claim 15 wherein the bars and pontics are of a variety ofdifferent dimensions and different cross-sectional configurations. 23.The kit of claim 15 further comprising composite material,fiber-reinforced composite material and filler material.
 24. A dentalrestoration comprising: a pontic for use in the fabrication of a dentalappliance system wherein the pontic comprises one or more ponticsections and one or more sets of interpoximal extensions extendingthrough and out of the pontic sections and comprising a prefabricatedpreshaped cured fiber-reinforced composite material comprising apolymeric matrix which is formed by a resin, a filler component, and areinforcing fiber component; wherein the fiber-reinforced compositematerial comprises fibers distributed uniformly in the resin and whereinall the fibers are thoroughly wetted by the resin.
 25. The dentalrestoration of claim 24 wherein the pontic is modified prior to theincorporation into the dental restoration.
 26. A blank for themanufacture of a dental restoration comprising: a prefabricatedpreshaped cured fiber-reinforced composite material comprising apolymeric matrix which is formed by a resin, a filler component, and areinforcing fiber component, wherein the fiber-reinforced compositematerial comprises fibers distributed uniformly in the resin and whereinall the fibers are thoroughly wetted by the resin; and wherein thefiber-reinforced composite material is shaped and cured for use in aCAD/CAM system.
 27. An implant system comprising one or more sectionsmanufactured from the blanks of claim
 26. 28. The implant system ofclaim 27 wherein sections comprise abutments, cylinders, and frameworks.29. A dental restoration manufactured from the blank of claim
 26. 30. Aready-to-use component for use in a CAD/CAM system comprising: aprefabricated preshaped cured fiber-reinforced composite materialcomprising a polymeric matrix which is formed by a resin, a fillercomponent, and a reinforcing fiber component whereby the fibers areimpregnated with the polymeric matrix and filler component, and whereinthe fiber-reinforced composite material comprises fibers distributeduniformly in the resin and wherein all the fibers are thoroughly wettedby the resin, and thereafter formed into shapes under pressure; andwherein the fiber-reinforced composite material is shaped and cured foruse in the CAD/CAM system.
 31. A method of making a dental restorationcomprising: putting a ready-to-use structural component onto a dentalcast, the structural component comprising a prefabricated preshapedcured fiber-reinforced composite material comprising a polymeric matrixwhich is formed by a resin, a filler component, and a reinforcing fibercomponent, wherein the fiber-reinforced composite material comprisesfibers distributed uniformly in the resin, wherein all the fibers arethoroughly wetted by the resin, and wherein the fiber-reinforcedcomposite material is shaped and cured to a hardness for use in thedental restoration; adding one or more layers of composite materialthereon; and curing the one or more layers of composite material. 32.The method of claim 31 wherein the structural component is modified bymachining, cutting or carving prior to the step of adding one or morelayers of material thereon.
 33. A method of making a dental restorationcomprising: fabricating a fiber-reinforced composite material into ashaped component wherein the fiber-reinforced composite materialcomprises a polymeric matrix which is formed by a resin, a fillercomponent, and a reinforcing fiber component, wherein thefiber-reinforced composite material comprises fibers distributeduniformly in the resin, wherein all the fibers are thoroughly wetted bythe resin, and whereby the fibers are impregnated with the polymericmatrix and filler component and formed into shapes under pressure;curing the shaped component to provide a prefabricated, shaped, curedcomponent; and milling the component under the control of a CAD/CAMsystem to provide a dental appliance.